Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Exodus 11

In which God plans the final plague, a mass murder of innocent children.

Skeptic's Annotated Bible

11:1  And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether.

The big finale.

11:2  Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver and jewels of gold.
11:3  And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people.
11:4  And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:
11:5  And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.

Another atrocity of death committed by God, this time against all firstborn children.  I'm sure there may be some who are older and aware of their actions, such that they could be considered worthy of punishment.  I'm also sure that there would be many who would themselves be innocent of any crime (except for being Egyptian).  And I notice that we're also including all the firstborn animals for some reason.  Only with the indoctrination of religion could you conclude that this is good, just, kind or justifiable behavior.

11:6  And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more.
11:7  But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.
11:8  And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.
11:9  And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.
11:10  And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.

Yes, yes, the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart.  Blah blah blah.  This was the real objective all along, to allow God to kill all these innocent children.  Remember, Exodus started out with Pharaoh wanting to kill all the male Hebrew children, so this is, I think, really God's retribution for that.  A truly horrific extreme of "an eye for an eye," or in this case "a child for a child."  Moral people do not act this way.

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